CNP Farmer - IDEA Quest (Immediate Opening)

IDEA Public Schools•Edinburg, TX

42d•$17 - $22•Onsite

About The Position

At IDEA, our Child Nutrition Program (CNP) campus farms work within the larger Healthy Kids Here initiative dedicated to making IDEA Public Schools one of the healthiest school districts in the nation. CNP Farmers report directly to CNP Campus Farm Managers to support with farm educational programming and farm production. Educational programming includes coordinating with campus leaders on program approved curriculum, preparing lesson activities, instructing K-12 students through on-farm project-based learning, and supervising students during outdoor classroom instruction. The CNP Farmer works with the CNP Campus Farm Manager in executing a four-season diversified farming system that includes cover cropping, crop rotation, orchard cultivation, native habitat maintenance, and an integrated pest management plan. Additionally, the CNP Farmer contributes to farm safety and efficiency by updating inventory, tracking farm data, and implementing all food safety protocols outlined in the Farm Food Safety Plan. CNP Farmers also complete administrative tasks required to support data logging, food safety protocols, and digital communications on a range of virtual platforms to maintain a high standard of program integrity, transparency, and collaboration.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED
1 year experience in horticulture, farming, or gardening
Reliable transportation
Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English

Nice To Haves

Certification in Horticulture, Agriculture, Ecology, or a related field
1 year experience teaching or working with pre-K through 12th grade students
Knowledge of sustainable horticulture, agriculture, and hydroponic systems
Ability to speak and understand Spanish

Responsibilities

Co-facilitate and, when needed, lead the implementation of agricultural education for students on the farm that enhances their core curriculum objectives
Implement effective classroom management techniques to ensure student safety and engagement
Implement nutrition education that Increases student engagement in agriculture and the food system to promote a lifetime of healthy eating habits
Supports collaboration with teachers to lead student tours and educational projects
Support with logging student educational hours by the end of every teaching week
Support with tracking student attendance for every class period
Coordinate with the CNP Farmer to plan a successful campus-led end of year certification ceremony
Adhere to production plan developed by the CNP Campus Farm Manager one year in advance based on IDEA menu requirements, and ensure weekly and monthly goals are met
Start 100% of crops on time via direct seeding or transplanting, to maintain consistent crop production from the first to the last day of school
Align with CNP Campus Farm Manager to treat & log biological and environmental disorders impacting production plan goals effectively
Support with the harvesting, washing, processing, and delivery of produce to Cafeteria Managers on the farm campus as well as neighboring campuses when excess produce is available for distribution
Participate in regional workdays and mentorship opportunities to support the success of neighboring farms
Participate in field walks daily/weekly to develop assess, diagnose and collectively plan next steps in crop management and daily tasks
Implement effective weed management strategies to ensure a high aesthetic standard and consistent harvests throughout the school year
Conduct all hydroponic protocols effectively and efficiently to ensure operational management of machine is maintained.
Support with logging food safety and harvest farm logs into tracking systems by set deadlines to fulfill audit requirements
Support with the completion of “Beginning of Year” farm tasks to ensure the farm is operationally safe for IDEA scholars by the first day of school each year.
Comply with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Harmonized operation audit requirements to meet a minimum 90% score each quarter
Support with updating of physical inventories for all materials and equipment each month.
Report maintenance and safety issues on the farm to the CNP Farmer as soon as they are identified to ensure a safe working and learning environment.
Uphold all operational mechanisms in place alongside your direct manager.
Utilize consumables such as seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides conscientiously and report the need for restocking or replacement of depleted supplies.
Provide support for the oversight and completion of contracted projects on the farm
Receive deliveries and submit all invoices to CNP Farmer to ensure timely vendor payment.
Collaborate with the planning of in-ground farm expansion to continuously enhance the student farm educational experience
Communicate new farm needs as they surface and support with researching solutions when directed
Continuously seek feedback as an essential part of IDEA’s culture, taking action to determine how it can best be used to improve our program and the CNP Farmer role.